The Matrix’s Laurence Fishburne on if He’ll Return for Another Movie
Laurence Fishburne has opened up about the possibility of reprising his iconic role as Morpheus in The Matrix 5. Speaking during a reunion panel at New York Comic Con 2025, the actor said he would consider returning to the sci-fi franchise, but under certain conditions. He also spoke about the franchise’s legacy as well as his absence from The Matrix Resurrections.
Laurence Fishburne says he’ll return for Matrix 5 ‘if it makes sense’
Laurence Fishburne has addressed whether he might step back into the role of Morpheus for The Matrix 5.
Appearing at New York Comic Con 2025 for The Matrix reunion panel, the actor said that he is open to returning, but only under the right circumstances. Fishburne said, “It depends on how good it is, really. If it’s great, then yeah, if it makes sense.” He added, “I don’t know if it makes sense.” The discussion follows Warner Bros.’ announcement in April 2024 that writer and director Drew Goddard will take over the franchise, with The Matrix 5 officially in development. (via Variety)
During the NYCC panel hosted by Josh Horowitz, Fishburne and co-star Joe Pantoliano looked back on the impact of the original trilogy. Fishburne said, “There’s no movie that comes after ‘The Matrix’ that’s a sci-fi action or fantasy movie that’s not been influenced by it. It’s everywhere. It’s so pervasive you almost forget where it came from at this point.” He even added that that without The Matrix, even major franchises like the MCU wouldn’t “look the same.”
The actor, who first brought Morpheus to life in the 1999 sci-fi classic, also reflected on his absence from The Matrix Resurrections, released in 2021. Fishburne revealed that he had reached out to Lana Wachowski in hopes of reprising the role. He said, “I reached out. It just didn’t pan out. I said ‘Thank you very much,’ And Lana [Wachowski] said, ‘Thank you very much, I’ll think about it,’ and that was that.”
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on SuperHeroHype.
Source: Comingsoon.net